By KT Reporter
Nearly 30 traders in Nebbi are seeking financial assistance from the government after a devastating fire on Monday morning at Garamba Produce Stores reduced their properties to ashes, causing losses worth millions of shillings.
The traders say they are struggling to restart their businesses, as the abrupt fire wiped out their capital, leaving them without means to rebuild their livelihoods. Ronny Opio, a dealer in electrical appliances, noted that many affected traders were operating on loans, making it difficult to recover.
“It’s hard for us to restart and regain our footing after this fire, especially since most of us were running businesses on borrowed capital,” Opio said. He appealed to the government for financial support to help the victims restock their businesses.
“We cannot generate new seed capital on our own. We urge the government and development partners to assist us in getting back on our feet,” he added. Harriet Pimer, another affected trader, expressed her frustration, saying she has no means to restart her business and is considering selling land in her village to raise capital.
“I had failed to start my business until the Parish Development Model (PDM) helped me last time. That’s how I ventured into produce trading,” Pimer said. However, Nebbi Central Division LC III Chairman Ronnie Japiemo stated that the lower local council has no budget for disaster relief but has forwarded information about the fire victims to the area Member of Parliament for possible intervention.
“We don’t have a disaster management budget at the local council level, but we have submitted the details of the affected traders to the area MP for action,” Japiemo said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
